LONG SERVICE ENDS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 43, 13 November 1937, Page 13

LONG SERVICE ENDS

Inspector Fitzpatrick Retires from Police

PRESENTATIONS MADE The deep respect and affection with which he was regarded by all ranks of the section of police force which he commanded, and the Court officials with whom he worked, was expressed to Inspector J. Fitzpatrick in the Napier police station on Thursday afternoon, when he was farewelled on his retirement after nearly 40 years of service. After five and a-half years in command of the police in the Napier district, he officially commenced his three months' retiring leave yesterday, being replaced in office by Inspector D. Cameron, formerly of Dunedin. Although regret was expressed by many speakers at the loss to the force of a popular and efficient officer, they expressed pleasure to know that he would not be leaving the district, but would continue to live in Napier. On behalf of members of the force in the Napier police district, joined by Mr. J. Millar, S.M., Senior-Sergeant W. Pender handed his retiring superior several sets of cut crystalware as a token of the esteem of all who had worked with the recipient during his period in office in the district. At the same time, Senior-Sergeant Pender took the opportunity of welcoming Inspector Cameron. Inspector Fitzpatrick made suitable reply. Having thanked the Senior-Sergeant and the men for their welcome, Inspector Cameron read the following telegram, from Mr. J. D. Cummings, Commissioner of Police: - "Regret being unable to be present to farewell Inspector Fitzpatrick this afternoon. Please convey to the inspector the grateful thanks of the department and myself for his great devotion to duty, his loyalty and assistance at all times given over his long years of service. Although the public to whom he has given of his best are losing his valued services in an offlcial capacity, I am pleased to learn he is in his retirement settling in Napier, where he will still be able to take an interest in the welfare of the wonderful people of Hawke's Bay who have gone through so much in recent years. Now that Mr. Fitzpatrick is laying down the cares of office, I gladly join with you in wishing him and his wife many happy years of peaceful retirement, which they have so well earned and deserve." The following letter of apology and expression of regard from Mr. J, Miller, S.M., was also read: - "As I will be absent on circuit duty, I very much regret that I am unable to accept your invitation to be present at the farewell function in honour of Inspector Fitzpatrick. As Magistrate of the district I would very much like to express my whole-hearted appreciation of the inspector's valuable assistance to the Courts. By publication, the public is aware of the conduct of the prosecutions in Courts, and the decision, but the public is not aware of the amount of skill, care and knowledge an inspector must have in deciding whether, in the initial stages, cases should be prosecuted or not It is due to Inspector Fitzpatrick's ability and fairmindedness that the Courts in the district have not been burdened with unnecessary cases. "I join with you all in offering Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick best wishes and happiness. I also join in extending a welcome to Inspector Cameron, with whom I was associated in Dunedin and Wanganui." Mr. H. B, Lusk, Crown Prosecutor, also paid tribute to the sterling qualities and splendid work of Inspector Fitzpatrick during his period of office in the district. Other speakers were Senior-Sergeant Sivyer (Hastings), Sergeant Clark (Wairoa), Detective-Sergeant Nuttall (Napier), Detective-Sergeant Revell (Hastings), Constable Moss (Waipawa), Constable Sutton (Waipukurau), Constable Hardie (District Clerk), Constables Kearton and Smith (Napier). Apologies were read from the Dannevirke police, who were unable to be represented on account of the illness of Sergeant Dyer, Constable Mullan (Takapau), Constable Ryan (Porangahau), and Sergeant G. S. Devenport (Dunedin). The last-named, who had been associated with Inspector Fitzpatrick in Napier as district clerk, wrote expressing his good wishes to both Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick. A happy gathering, not without its touch of sadness, concluded. with the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow,"